The Spark

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, May 30, 2018: The number of cases of Lyme Disease doubled in the U.S. over the past two decades. The illness is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged or deer ticks.  These ticks feed on the blood of mammals such as mice, raccoons, deer … Continue reading "Lyme — The First Epidemic of Climate Change author"

What to look for on Smart Talk Tuesday, May 29, 2018: The Three Mile Island nuclear plant hasn’t been profitable for the last six years.  Last week, TMI failed to sell electricity it produces at the PJM Interconnection auction for power needs three years from now.  That marks the fourth year in a row that … Continue reading "TMI’s future/UN peacekeepers recognized"

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, May 25, 2018: Summer-like temperatures are on the way soon and lots of rain this spring means Central Pennsylvania will see a large population of mosquitos, ticks and fleas.  Being bothered is one thing — getting sick is another. The Centers for Disease Control reported earlier this … Continue reading "Mosquito, tick diseases/DNA ancestry tests"

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, May 24, 2018: Wine is the subject of Thursday’s Smart Talk during a Smart Talk Road Trip to Nissley Vineyards in Bainbridge, Lancaster County. In particular, we’ll be focusing on Pennsylvania wines and the state’s wine industry.  There are more than 200 wineries across the state that … Continue reading "Road Trip to Nissley Vineyards"

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, May 23, 2018: In an ideal world, medications, medical devices or procedures could be developed in a laboratory and be ready for use by doctors in a short amount of time. That may be ideal, but it’s not realistic.  Today, many drugs, devices and procedures are developed … Continue reading "How do clinical trials work?"

The year 1968 was considered a monumental year in American history.  The Civil Rights Movement was at its height, protests over the war in Vietnam grew, the Democratic National Convention in Chicago was disrupted by violent protests and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sen. Robert Kennedy were assasinated.  Before he was killed, Dr. King started … Continue reading "Poor people’s Campaign marches on Harrisburg"

May is Asian American and Pacific Heritage Month. May was chosen in the late 1970s to coincide with the anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. Thousands of Asians help build that railroad but Asians and Pacific Islanders have contributed much more to America. Pennsylvania is home to 433 thousand people who … Continue reading "Asian Pacific Heritage/Author Allen Guelzo on Reconstruction"

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, May 18, 2018: Immigration is a hot issue in the political landscape and a divisive topic in communities around the country. How do American’s feel about immigration today? A Bucknell University survey finds that American’s views on new immigrants have improved significantly since the last presidential election. … Continue reading "Poll: Americans positive on immigrants/Newlywed finances"

photo by Scott LaMar WITF files What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, May 17, 2018: Earlier this week, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling on a New Jersey case that essentially legalizes gambling on sporting events.  The decision was met with happiness by many who play fantasy sports games or have bet … Continue reading "Sports betting now part of PA gambling expansion"

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, May 16, 2018: Wednesday’s Smart Talk features Franklin and Marshall College political analyst and pollster Dr. G. Terry Madonna breaking down Tuesday’s primary election results and looks ahead to the fall campaigns. The primary was noteworthy for several reasons.  New Congressional district boundaries, ordered by the Pennsylvania … Continue reading "Primary analysis — looking ahead to fall"